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Published: July 11th 2008
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Psyched to Reunite
On a water taxi in Venice. My first year in Tanzania flew right by, and suddenly I found myself hosting my last few visitors and heading out of town for my summer holidays! Herein I'll briefly update you on the end of my school year and my travels between then and now. You might want to make yourself comfortable...
My penultimate visitor of the school year was non-other than my sister, Kim. She came just when her courses ended, before her summer courses in Mombasa, Kenya began. She was looking for some R&R and I was more than happy to provide it! Kim spent her days sleeping in, reading, playing with Kibo, etc. She got to come to a puppy class, see me in action at weekly Karaoke night at the Irish Bar, meet some of my friends, and go to the beach. It was lovely to show her where I live and who I spend time with. She also brought me lots of glorious goodies from the USA!
Our biggest adventure was Kim's birthday present, wherein I took her to Uhuru Street, to buy some traditional Tanzanian fabrics. We then took these fabrics to my tailor, Mama Tina, and Kim got two very cute
Cold!
It was so much colder than Tanzania! African-esque dresses made! Don't worry, I got some for myself as well... didn't want her to feel left out.
After Kim left for her new adventure, there was a 5 day hiatus before Abby came to stay with me. Abby is a friend of Welyn's from University, and she's spending her summer at the base of Kilimanjaro, coaching soccer leagues. Abby saw the best Dar has to offer, as there was a social event going on for EVERY night that she stayed with me! We did everything from Hash House Harriers, to Trivia Night, and even the once a month Dance Club. Abby then went on to Zanzibar and I had 3 days to finish school and pack for my upcoming travels.
As timing would have it, this is when I found myself on my proverbial death bed. I somehow had not fully gotten over my throat infection from a few weeks prior, and it had been slowly building up to make a second, and worse, comeback. Right at the end of school. Needless to say, I presented my Grade 5's with their "Graduation Certificates" while under a fever of 102 degrees. I took the next day off
Venice
A little cloudy, but still pretty. from school, had malaria and various other tests, and was put on heavy duty antibiotics so that I'd be better for my overnight plane trip in 2 days' time.
I lugged myself in for the last day of school, came home and deliriously packed while my friends came by to entertain me, and that evening I hopped on a flight for Venice and the start of what has become known as 'One of the Greatest Trips of All Time.'
I met up with Dad, Nina, Welyn, Denia, and their 2 friends Kaitlin and Julia in Venice. We spent the day wandering around the city, visiting museums and/or cafes. We played/screamed with pigeons, bought Venetian masks, saw glass being blown, etc. It was a beautiful city and so great to see. The following day, we boarded the CMY Polycarpus, a 115 foot yacht that was to be our home for the next 10 days.
All in all there were 12 of us passengers on the boat: Dad, Nina, Welyn, Kaitlin, Denia, Julia, Myself and my godsister Hermance, my godparents/Dad's good friends Frans and Fernande, and Nina's godson Tom and his girlfriend Kate. Unfortunately Kim was busy having fun
in Kenya for the summer and could not join us this time around. We had a lovely crew of 7, that we made friends with quickly and spent some nights out on the town and on board with throughout the trip. During the trip, we visited lovely islands and cities along the Dalmatian coast, including Losinj (excuse my spelling, it will never be correct with these cities), Rovijna, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Krka, etc. We saw lovely little cobblestone streets, churches, forts, fields of lavender, markets, and of course some local restaurants and bars. We also did some shopping for Croatian fashion items, and in true Roosenburg-Craig fashion, had an evening of dress-up in the purchased goods.
Perhaps the most fun of all was the watersports element of the trip. We were lucky enough to find time in the water every day! We hopped on waverunners, inflatable kayaks, waterskis or wake boards, tubes or aqua glides, did some snorkelling, attempted (but failed due to varying circumstances) SCUBA, and just swam and frolicked in the water. The weather cooperated amazingly, once we left Venice, and we left the trip bruised and battered from the watersports, but amazingly tanned and contented with
Gross Pigeons!
We did NOT like those birds. all the fun we had. The pictures will do the rest of the talking...
Following this trip, I had to wrap my mind around my return to the states, for the first time in 1 year! I had 4 flights, tight connections, and subsequent lost luggage, to make my welcome that much warmer. As I was only in the USA for 3 weeks, I had to adjust quickly and be ready to see anyone and everyone in each town I visited. I headed down to Virginia first, for some quality time with Mom, Oliver, and my best girlfriends. I spent some time shopping and relaxing with my parents, making sure to eat my favorite meals, and watch some newer movies (an age old tradition with them). Then I was lucky enough to have a whole weekend with all 4 of my best girlfriends: Jackie, Lesley, Tiffany, and Danielle. We went away to Ocean City, Maryland for the weekend and had a blast catching up and causing a raucous. After returning to Mom's on Sunday, I had a few more days to catch up with Mom and Oliver before they headed off to Antigua and I back up to NY.
Welcome Aboard
CMY Polycarpus! I spent some meal times catching up with old friends, and had the chance to meet my little cousins that just moved to the states from Malaysia.
On July 3, I made the long drive from VA back up to NY, stopping in Delaware along the way for a catch up breakfast with my friend Gina (also a pretty steadfast tradition during my long drives!). I spent some time at our beach house in East Hampton, my friend Meghan came out to celebrate the 4th of July with me and my family, and then I headed into the city for a few days and a big change. I donated 11 inches of my hair to Locks of Love charity. A huge change, but I'll be so happy with it once I'm back in the African heat! I've been back in East Hampton for the past few days, wrapping up errands and preparing to go back to Tanzania on Tuesday the 15th! I don't officially start work until August 4th, so my holidays aren't really ending, but Tanzania should be bringing me some quiet time, hermitage, and quality time with Kibo! If more adventures ensue during the rest of the
Our Boat
CMY Polycarpus, on our first real day of frolicking in the water! holidays, I will surely write about them, but until then, I hope to have a quietly nondescript remainder of my vacation!
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kim
non-member comment
um, not Aruba
Mom and Oli are in Antigua, fyi. :)